The Ten Best Shows In St. Louis This Weekend: August 17 to 19

Throughout the whole of the English vernacular, nary are there etymological compositions quite so objectionably mellifluous as are those employed in the odious overindulgent offenses of music journalists. Such belittlingly belletristic behavior burdens the reader and introduces intensely inhibitive inquisition. Now, guess which one was on my word of the day calendar today!

Local rockers The Orbz are hanging it up and playing one last show this Saturday at the Firebird; miss this one and you'll miss them for good. Milan's The Sensibles are playing Mangia Italiano; I wonder what they'll think of the food there. Something to think about, right? Friday at El Lenador Bassamp & DanO bring the Brothers Gross for a night of good times and hard-charging punk rock and roll. With the problems that El Lenador has been having with the city lately, it is probably prudent for now to get in there for a show whenever you get the chance. The rest of our picks follow.

Friday:

Jon Hardy & The Public
@ Off Broadway
w/ Hemmingbirds, Jon Bonham & Friends
9:00 p.m. | $7/$10
It's been almost exactly a year since Jon Hardy & the Public last played, and St. Louis rock & roll is lucky to have the boys back. (KM)

Cave
@ Plush
w/ Catacombz, Skarekrauradio
8:00 p.m. | $7
Weirdest show of the weekend, no question. Finally, a lineup at least as psychedelic as the decor at Plush. (KM)

Ring, Cicada
@ The Firebird
w/ Centaur, Crucial
9:00 p.m. | $10
Fans of Collinsville's Ring, Cicada have been waiting some time to see the rock band live again, and Centaur is the perfect band to accompany -- the band features Matt Talbott of bygone alt-rockers Hum. (DH)

Saturday:

Palace
@ Cicero's
w/ Cowboy Indian Bear, Troubadour Deli, Hawley Shoffner
8:00 p.m. | $10
Co-front woman Jamie Finch is moving and this will be her last show with Palace. There will still be plenty of pipes left in the lineup without her, but it's safe to say she's an irreplaceable voice and presence. (KM)